Saturday, November 14, 2009

The Moving Sidewalks saga (with Hendrix & more)

The Moving Sidewalks ~ founded by Billy Gibbons in 1967, consisted of Gibbons on guitar, vocals & harmonica, Don Summers on bass, Dan Mitchell on drums and Tom Moore on keyboards.

The Texas psychedelic group quickly drew a large following, especially in the Houston “teen scene”. They recorded several singles and one full-length album, Flash. Their single “99th Floor” was a hit and topped the charts at #1 in Houston for six weeks. The success of this record led the Sidewalks to sign with Wand Records which then released “Need Me” which also became a Top 10 Hit. The group was asked to open for many legendary rock tours, including Jimi Hendrix and The Doors.

After Tom Moore and Don Summers were drafted into the U.S. Army, Billy Gibbons and Dan Mitchell added Lanier Greig and formed the original ZZ Top. They recorded the first ZZ Top record, “Salt Lick”, which was released on London Records.

The Moving Sidewalks opened for the legendary Texas psychedelic group 13th Floor Elevators at the San Antonio Texas psychedelic venue Love Street Emporium located on Commerce Street on the edge of downtown San Antonio. The Elevators set was stopped after only a few songs by the San Antonio police department who arrested the band’s lead singer Roky Erickson.

The Moving Sidewalks pose for a portrait with Jimi Hendrix whom they had just opened for at the Municipal Auditorium on February 15, 1968 in San Antonio, Texas. Jimi Hendrix gave the Pink Fender Stratocaster he’s holding to Billy Gibbons. Gibbons told Guitar World in 1985, ” He said the color pink was not conductive to burning, so he gave it to me and said, Play on brother…”

The Moving Sidewalks ~ 99th Floor (2:17 ~ 1967)The Billy Gibbons penned single “99th Floor” was a hit and topped the charts at #1 in Houston for six weeks. With Gibbons doin’ two lead guitars, vocals, a killer scream, and harmonica solo at the end, it’s a certified psych classic.